Tractor mounted foundation ditcher

ABSTRACT

A tractor mounted three-point-hitch implement for the excavation of square shaped foundation footings with a large rotational cutting wheel powered by the tractor power-take-off. The cutting wheel, made in sections, is surfaced with claws and rotates opposite the direction of movement, placing spoils on the banks. Cutting wheel is also removable for installing different size and shapes of cutting wheels. Included is a round-ditcher cutting wheel of spherical shape, and a shallow-ditcher cutting wheel that forms a shallow, easily mowed ditch. The depth of cut is adjustable by the hydrolic lift on tractor.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ditchers, trenchers, tractor implements, excavators, and earth moving machines used in the construction or agricultural fields.

Concrete filled footings, typically dug around the perimeter of a building for structural support have, in the past, been hand dug by shovels and picks. Today, footings are typically dug with backhoes and shaped with shovels to get exact grade. These back-saving machines are however, awkward and bulky, with slow extra-curricular motions.

Trenchers with chain cutters are used for digging deep, narrow trenches for the laying of pipe and cable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,769 reveals a trencher readily attached to a conventional tractor. These machines, if made wider and simpler could be used for excavating footings. The drawbacks are the long heavy booms with chain cutters, extra hydraulics, and maintenance.

Ditchers have been known in the maintenance of roads. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,683,522; 4,324,056; 5,027,534; 5,203,100; 5,237,761; 5,875,573; and 6,381,879 all reveal tractor mounted ditchers. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,953,863; 4,503,630; 4,939,854; and 4,958,457 all reveal walk-behind ditchers. None are made specifically for excavating square footings with straight, vertical sides.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,768,297 and 7,637038B2 reveal mechanisms for making trenches in soil. These complex systems are not needed in the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An innovative solution to these problems is to provide an apparatus specifically designed for digging footings. This tractor mounted implement consists of a three-point hitch frame supporting a rotating cutting wheel, surfaced with claws, and powered by the power-take-off. This machine has no chain cutters, no added hydraulics, and no costly maintenance. A differential, or gearbox, linked by a driveshaft, diverts power from the power-take-off to the drive mechanisms and wheel. The shear weight of the apparatus maintains the depth, provided the tractor operates in a creeper gear and does not encounter rock or stumps. The rear portion of the frame is constructed to rake spoils from the banks. A small stabilizing disk helps guide the implement.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a removable cutting wheel for installing different size and shapes of cutting wheels. Although not for foundations, these wheels can be used in the construction/landscape fields. Included in the package will be a shallow ditcher, a round ditcher, and a narrow trencher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the present invention showing how it is used in an operational configuration mounted to a conventional tractor.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of the apparatus, how it is built, and how it works.

FIG. 3 shows a prospective view of the apparatus with a round-ditcher cutting wheel of spherical shape.

FIG. 4 shows a prospective view of the apparatus with a shallow-ditcher cutting wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 of drawings illustrates present invention in operational configuration at a construction site. As seen, the tractor, indicated by numeral 1, includes a three-point hitch of common standard size consisting of lower hitch arms spaced apart, indicated by numeral 2, also an upper hitch above, indicated by numeral 4, with a turn buckle to adjust position of implement. Tractor 1 also includes a hydraulic lift, indicated by numeral 6, and a power-take-off, indicated by numeral 8, commonly found on present day tractors. The tractor 1 best operates in a creeper gear and has roughly 25 or above horse power depending on the size of the implement. The present invention, indicated by numeral 10, excavates a foundation footing having vertical sides and a horizontal base leaving spoils on the banks of the footing. The apparatus 10 is heavily constructed yet compact for maneuvering around set batter boards and stakes

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of the present invention, how it is constructed, and how it works. Within the apparatus 10 is first, a frame indicated by numeral 12. The frame 12, constructed of heavy boxed iron, has two L-shaped sides connected by a horizontal member in front. Connected to the frame 12 are upper hitch supports 14 and lower hitch pins 16. Connected beneath frame 12 are two ground skids constructed of angle iron, indicated by numeral 18. The front ends of ground skids 18 are angled upwards to prevent apparatus from digging in. The rear ends of ground skids 18 are angled outwards to rake spoils away from banks. The vertical support braces in rear are of different design and purpose. On left side the vertical brace houses mechanical means to power axle, preferably a chain and sprockets, and is larger than that on right. This drive box, indicated by numeral 20, reduces RPM by a three-to-one ratio. The right vertical brace, indicated by numeral 22, is made of channel iron for easy access to axle attachment located on lower portion.

Connected to the upper frame 12 is a gear box, indicated by numeral 24, diverting rotational power from tractor power-take-off to drive box 20 on the left. A drive shaft with a universal joint, indicated by numeral 26, links power from power-take-off to gear box 24. Gear box 24 also acts a structural support bracing upper frames together. Supporting the gear box is a brace angled up to the upper hitch 14.

In the center area of the present invention is a large cutting wheel, indicated by numeral 30. Cutting wheel 30 is made of three wheels fastened together, or constructed as one unit. If fastened together, the outside cutting wheel is easily removed for a smaller width of cut. Also, by removing both outside wheels, the center wheel is used as a narrow trencher. The cutting wheel, or wheels, 30 are surfaced with claws, indicated by numeral 32. Claws 32 are fastened at angles to force soil toward banks of excavation and resemble a cultivator plow. Direction of wheel rotation is indicated by numeral 34.

The front of apparatus 10 has a protective mesh, indicated by numeral 36, protecting operator from flying debris. Protective mesh 36 is welded to frame 12 and to upper hitch supports 14. An opening is cut into protective mesh 36 for movement of driveshaft 26.

Mounted on the front of frame 12 is also a small stabilizing disk, indicated by numeral 38. Stabilizing disk 38 prevents lateral movements and helps guide apparatus. Also, center-line ground markings can help guide disk, the center of excavation.

FIG. 3 shows the same invention 10 with a spherical cutting wheel. This round wheel, indicated by numeral 40, is for excavating a small, rounded ditch. Round wheel 40 is surfaced with claws 32 fastened at angles. The large drum shaped wheel is easily removed for installing round wheel 40, complete with it's own axle. All other parts remain the same as in FIG. 2. This apparatus is of smaller dimension, therefore lower hitch pins 16 are mounted to outside of frame 12.

FIG. 4 shows the same invention 10 with a different cutting wheel shaped for excavating a shallow, easily mowed ditch. This shallow ditcher, indicated by numeral 42, is surfaced with claws 32 fastened at angles. All other parts remain the same. This apparatus, also is of smaller dimension and the lower hitch pins 16 are mounted to outside of frame 12. 

What is claimed is:
 1. a tractor mounted, three-point-hitch implement for the linear excavation of foundation footings consisting of: a. a frame structure for mounting to the rear of a tractor; b. a rotational cutting wheel of drum shape surfaced with at least one cutter; and c, means of linking rotational power from a tractor power-take-off to said rotational cutting wheel.
 2. a tractor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 comprising a differential, or gear box, as a method of diverting rotational power from a tractor power-take-off to said rotational cutting wheel.
 3. a tactor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 containing a stabilizing disk to prevent lateral weaving.
 4. a tractor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 containing means to protect operator.
 5. a tarctor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting wheel is constructed in one or more vertical sections, with one or more sections removable for smaller width of cut.
 6. a tractor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting wheel is removable, with an additional, interchangable cutting wheel of spherical shape.
 7. a tractor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting wheel is removable, with an additional, interchagable cutting wheel shaped to form a shallow ditch.
 8. a tactor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 wherein axles of said cutting wheels are adjustable in length.
 9. a tractor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 whereas depth of cut is adjustable by the hydrolic lift of a tractor.
 10. a tractor mounted implement as defined in claim 1 having means to lower rotation-per-minute from a tractor power-take-off to said cutting wheels. 